Wallace rides to the defence of point-to-point racecourse

ONE of the country’s most famous point-to-point racecourses is set to be saved from closure by a last-minute intervention from Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary.

Larkhill Racecourse in Wiltshire had been due to shut next year unless the Ministry of Defence, which owns the land, renewed the lease.

Supporters of point-to-pointing claimed the course’s closure could threaten the survival of the sport. However, last night a Whitehall source signalled a reprieve.

The source said: “It was drawn to the Defence Secretary’s attention by an article in the media. Until then he was unaware of this short-sighted decision. He has directed officials to renew the lease with immediate effect.

“He recognises that as custodian of the largest land holdings in the UK, the MOD has a duty to not only use the land to ensure our forces are best prepared but also that the local communities who have farmed or used the lands for centuries are supported.”

Larkhill is a key venue in the British point-to-point calendar and while racing was due to continue for the 2022/23 pointing season, its future from the end of next year onwards looked bleak until Mr Wallace’s intervention. Andrew Ritchie, chairman of the Larkhill racecourse committee, said before the news of the reprieve: “This much-loved racecourse has been on the Salisbury Plain training area for 75 years. Throughout that time we have happily shared with the Army and have always given priority to military training when necessary.”

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said the course brought together service personnel and their families with the local community.

He said: “The years of community

‘The MoD has a duty to ensure local communities who have used the lands for centuries are supported’

cohesion and goodwill could be lost if the course were to disappear”.

Point-to-Point Authority chief executive Peter Wright described the closure threat as a “disaster” for the sport.

“Larkhill is, of course, one of the great point-to-point courses. But perhaps more importantly still, it is the backbone to our national winter programme, providing six of 12 fixtures that can run however much rain falls.”

Supporters had been due to launch a “Save Larkhill” campaign this weekend.